"Bullet" a chihuahua owned by Sabrina Hernandez, at the Fiesta Pooch Parade in Alamo Heights, Texas on Saturday, April 16, 2011.

"Bullet" a chihuahua owned by Sabrina Hernandez, at the Fiesta Pooch Parade in Alamo Heights, Texas on Saturday, April 16, 2011.

Photo: ALICIA WAGNER CALZADA, SPECIAL TO THE EXPRESS-NEWS

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"Myra," a chihuahua owned by Elaine and Linda Pierce, won "Top Dog" at the Fiesta Pooch Parade in Alamo Heights, Texas on Saturday, April 16, 2011.

"Myra," a chihuahua owned by Elaine and Linda Pierce, won "Top Dog" at the Fiesta Pooch Parade in Alamo Heights, Texas on Saturday, April 16, 2011.

Photo: ALICIA WAGNER CALZADA, SPECIAL TO THE EXPRESS-NEWS

Costume contest at Pooch Parade a crowd pleaser

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Standing next to Myra, her tiny Chihuahua, atop a large float depicting a Fiesta cake, Elaine Pierce wondered Saturday if she could pull out her fourth costume contest win.

The competition was stiff at the 2011 Fiesta Pooch Parade, which included a three-mile walk through the streets of Alamo Heights as spectators sipped orange juice and mimosas. The event serves as the lone fundraiser for Therapy Animals of San Antonio.

This year, a pug named Chewy captivated many attendees as he “spun records” on a DJ booth his owners made, featuring a twirling disco ball, spinning lights, a bubble machine and a boombox.

“We just thought of it over the month,” said Chewy's owner, Jesse Ortiz of San Antonio, as “Don't Stop the Music” played from the boombox. “He likes to listen to music.”

Even Pierce was in awe.

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“She's won three years in a row,” Pierce said of Myra. “But I don't think she'll win this year. That DJ was good.”

Myra bagged the “Top Dog” award, while Chewy took Best in Show honors.

They edged out dogs dressed as peacocks, bees and a flying monkey from “The Wizard of Oz.” There was a Pomeranian in a large Easter basket and a crowned bulldog dubbed “King Cascarone.” The “most patriotic” award went to a Scottish terrier named Duchess that wore a kilt, vest, hat and bagpipes and rode in a wagon that featured a castle.

“It's great. Lots of activities, and the walking is good for all of us,” said Duchess' owner, Roxane Deluna of Boerne. “This is the Fiesta thing we do every year.”

“We really enjoy this one because we can involve our animals,” added Natalie Mireles, whose entry featured Pepe, a poodle-lhasa mix serving as “security” leading a Spurs-themed float with basketballs and hoops. The float carried two Yorkies, one wearing a Tim Duncan dog jersey, the other Manu Ginobili's No. 20, and a French poodle (what else?) as Tony Barker, er, Parker.